Locomotive steam-pipe



R. C. MORTON.

LOCOMOTIVE STEAM PIPE. APPLICATION FlLED- JAN. 14. 1919.

Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

ROBERT MORTON, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

LocoMoTIvE STEAM-PIPE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 18, 1919.

Application filed January 14, 1919. Serial No. 271,060.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT C. MORTON,

of the city of Baltimore, in the St'ate of Maryland, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Locomotive Steam- Pipes, ofwhioh im is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide means, of simple and inexpensive construction, and ready applicability 1n locomotives of any of the several present standard types, whereby accumulation of water in the 1 cylinders, and damage resultant therefrom,

may be effectually prevented.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth. V

In the operation of locomotive engines, it frequently occurs that -the-enginemen will carry water at too high a level-in the boiler, with the result that a considerable quantity is worked through the engine cylinders and the lubrication thereof is flooded out. Again, it is often the case, when locomotives are standing some little time in roundhouses or yards, that, by reason of leakage past the throttle valve, steam passes into the cylinders, and the resultant accumulated condensate causes their breakage when the locomotive is moved, thereby involving considerable expense for repair, and the loss of service of the locomotive while repairs are being made. These objectionable results, which are familiar to those in charge of locomotive operation, will be eliminated by the application of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a side view, partly in elevation, and partly in section, of the forward portion of a locomotive engine in which my invention is applied; Fig. 2, a vertical transverse sec tion through the smoke box; and, Fig. 3, a horizontal section through one of the steam pipes, on the line a: w of Fig. 1.

In the practice of my invention, referring descriptively to the specific embodiment thereof which is herein exemplified, I combine, with each of the steam pipes, 1, through which, as in the ordinary practice, steam is conveyed from the dry pipe of the boiler, either directly or through a super heater header, 5, to the valve chest, 3, and cylinders, 4, a water receptacle, 2, which extends longitudinally, from its upper end, to or near the location in its length at which it passes through the smoke box, 6. The top of the steam pipe is downwardly curved, in

provement the followingceptacle, at, or

the usual manner, and, at the bottom of its curvature, is fully open to the top of the water receptacle,

smoke box, is offset from, or out of axial line with, the curved top portion, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The steam pipe being ordinarily formed of cast iron, the water receptacle, 2, is preferably, as shown, formed integral with it, but, if desired, its length, below the pipes, may be made separate from, and secured to, tinuously open communication between the curved top portion of the steam pipe and ghe offset main body thereof, is instituted y a the wall of the adjacent to, thebott'o'm ofthe curved top portion, and a deflecting plate, 2 which is curved upwardly and away from the water receptacle, projects from the lower edge of the passage, 2.

A Water discharge or drain pipe, 7, leads from the bottom of the water receptacle to a suitable point of discharge below the adjacent cylinder, 4, at which point itis connected to an automatic drain valve, 8, which may be of any suitable known construction, and which, as it is not, in and of itself, claimed as of my present invention, is not herein at length described. A manually operable water discharge cock, 9, is fitted in a branch pipe, 7, leading out of the main discharge pipe, 7, adjacent to the lower end thereof, said cock being opened and closed, as desired, by an arm, 9 coupled to the bar, 10, which operates the ordinary cylinder cocks, 11, so as to be opened and closed coincidently with said cocks.

In the operation of the appliance, water that may be carried, with the steam, into the steam pipe, is deposited by gravity, in the water receptacle, and the steam, thus cleared of water, passes through the steam delivery passage, 2 into the main body of the steam pipe, and thence to the valve chest and cylinder. The deflecting plate, 2*, prevents water from entering the main body of the pipe. Water which may accumulate in the water receptacle while the locomotive is standing, will be discharged therefrom by the automatic drain valve, 8, and, when running, may be discharged by the cock, 9, when the latter is opened, for the purpose, coincidently with the opening of the cylinder cocks.

andthe remainder of the length of the pipe which is within the curved top portion of the steam steam delivery passage, 2*, formed in plpe ad oining the water re:

the main body of the pipe. Con- It will be seen that the cost of construction and maintenance of my invention is inconsiderable; that it involves no perceptible obstruction of the volume of the smoke box; and that it is applicable in connection with either outside or inside steam pipes, with out interference with, or modification of, other members contained in the front end of the locomotive. The practical value and importance of the capacity which it aifords of preventing accumulation of water in the those who have experienced the detrimental results of such accumulation.

I claim as my invention and desire to se cure by Letters Patent:

1. In a locoi'notive, the combination with the boiler, valve chest and cylinder, of a steam pipe extending from the boiler to the valve chest, a water receptacle on the pipe, means for separating the water from the steam, means for directing the water to the receptacle, a discharge cock for said receptacle, a discharge cock for the cylinder, and means common to both of said cocks fol operating the same.

2. In a locomotive, the combination with the boiler and valve chest thereof, of a steam pipe, connecting the boilerand chest,

said pipe being located in and following substantially the contourof the wall of the smoke box, a steam separator comprising a water receptacle, and means for separatmg the water from the steam and directing the -water to the receptacle, located on the forward side of the pipe and extending longitudinally thereof, the transverse width of the separator being no greater than the I transverse diameter of the pipe, whereby the cylinders, will be readily recognized by draft through the smoke box will not be interfered with.

3. In a locomotive, the combination with a boiler, pipe extending from the boiler to the valve chest, a waterreceptacle on the pipe, means for separating the water from the steam, means for directing the water to the receptacle, a drain pipe leading from the lower portion of the water receptacle to a point of discharge exterior to the smoke box, and a discharge valve eontrollingthe outer end of said drain pipe.

ROBT. C. MORTON. Witnesses:

A. G. SANDMAN, H. G. DALY, Jr.

valve chest and cylinder, of a steam 

